The Peer Liaison Program was created to provide an additional layer of mentoring through a wealth of events and initiatives that aim to support first-year students through their transition to Yale College, especially those who belong to systematically minoritized groups. Peer Liaisons (PLs), are a select group of trained, caring upper-class student leaders affiliated with the residential colleges and one of these eight centers/offices: Afro-American Cultural Center, Asian American Cultural Center, Chaplain’s Office, La Casa Cultural: Latinx Cultural Center, Native American Cultural Center, Office of International Students & Scholars, Office of LGBTQ Resources, Student Accessibility Services. Each PL program is structured a little differently to meet the distinct needs of each community, but all are designed to help first-year students feel a sense of belonging on-campus.
Co-Head PL and Jonathan Edwards PL: Gaeun Lee
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Psychology
What is your favorite food? 청국장 (fermented soybean stew) and chipotle
What is your favorite book? Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Hello hello! My name is Gaeun (most people call me Gwon!) and I’ll be your JE PL and Co-Head PL this year! I’m a junior majoring in psychology, and I was born in Chuncheon, South Korea but I grew up in the Boston area. I love exploring city life, cozy cafes and dilly-dallying. Another fun fact about me is that I like acronyms (AFFAMITILA).
On campus I’m involved in clinical psych research and chamber music (I play piano!), and you might see me around hibernating in local cafes or consuming ungodly amounts of coffee. Please do not hesitate to reach out for resources, advice, or simply someone to talk to. I am so excited to meet you all and help you be your best selves at Yale. :)
Co-Head PL and Pierson PL: Michelle Lee
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Ethnicity, Race, and Migration with Certificates in Ethnography and Korean
What is your movie/TV show? Parasite, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Before Sunrise, Abbott Elementary
What is your favorite New Haven restaurant? Tibetan Kitchen (highly recommend the spicy noodles *chef’s kiss*)
Hi Class of 2028!!! My name’s Michelle Lee and I’ll be serving as your Pierson PL and Co-Head PL this year! I’m a junior studying Ethnicity, Race, and Migration and on campus I’m involved with the Asian American Student Alliance, the Migration Alliance at Yale, and the Yale Undergraduate Prison Project. Outside of that you guys will definitely catch me at Koffee doing my readings or at Whale Tea drinking an absurd amount of boba.
I hope to introduce y’all to my favorite spots on and off campus, eat (+make) a lot of yummy food together, and even have some jam sessions (you can use my guitar and ukulele). My first year was intimidating but the AACC has become a home for me and I’m excited to share this space and that love with y’all! Please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask any unfiltered questions about campus life or just life in general! I’m so excited to meet you guys <3
Pauli Murray PL: Alex Deng
Pronouns: he/him
Major: Computer Science and Economics
What is your TV show? Friends
What is your favorite New Haven restaurant? Tiger Daddy
Hey everyone! Welcome to Yale. My name is Alex Deng and I’m a senior in Pauli Murray College from Houston, Texas. I’m currently majoring in Computer Science & Economics. At Yale, I’ve loved being a proud CASA dad and can’t wait to share that experience with ya’ll. When free from work, I like going on runs around East Rock, grabbing Whale Tea, rewatching old TV shows (currently binging Friends for the 50th time), and seeing friends. Some of my best memories here have been Chinese New Year dinners in the Murray Kitchen, dumpling making nights with my old Chinese class, and CASA family gatherings. These are all things we’ll be doing together :).I know first year can be a crazy time, and I’m always down to chat, listen, and share my own experiences, so please feel free to reach out to talk about absolutely anything. Super excited to meet everyone!
Morse PL: Amy Jiang
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Computer Science & Economics
What is your favorite book? Race After Technology by Ruha Benjamin
What are your favorite artists/bands? SZA, The 1975, Dominic Fike, DEAN, SiR, NewJeans
Welcome to Yale Class of 2028!! My name is Amy Jiang (she/her), a senior in Hopper and PL for Morse College! I’m majoring in CS & ECON, and have been involved in the AACC since my freshman year of Yale! On campus, I’ve served on the boards of the Chinese American Students Association (CASA), AASA (Asian American Students Alliance), AI Policy Initiative (YAIPI), Women and Gender Minorities in Computer Science (WGiCS), and serve as a fellow at the law school’s Information Society Project and Genocide Studies Department. In my free time, I love eating spicy food, discovering new music on Spotify, going on walks with my friends, and going swimming! You’ll also definitely always find me in the Elm getting an iced matcha every morning :)
I hope I can grow to become a source of support and care for you all throughout your first year at Yale—ready to sit and listen, cry and rant, cook and bake, walk and talk, or anything in between. Please reach out anytime, I guarantee a speedy reply! Can’t wait to meet you all <33
Trumbull PL: Elisa Cruz
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Ethnicity, Race, and Migration
What is your favorite food? Pho Tai & Buko Pandan
What is your favorite campus study spot? Bass & DHL aka Digital Humanities Lab
Welcome to Yale, Class of 2028! My name is Elisa Cruz and I’m a junior in Berkeley College (aka Trumbull’s neighbor) studying Ethnicity, Race, and Migration! I’m from East Haven but I went to high school in downtown New Haven so I call both home— 203 girl for life!
On campus, I serve as the Kasama: The Filipinx Club’s Co-President and am on the Community Investment team for DHSRI (Dwight Hall Socially Responsible Fund). In the past, I have served as Mentor Director for New Haven REACH and was involved with AASA (Asian American Student Alliance).
I am SO excited to be Trumbull’s PL & a part of a PL team that is here to help you find community here at Yale! I hope to raid the snack cabinet at the AACC together, compare scores on the New York Times games, laugh loudly on Cross Campus, and take y’all on my quest to find the best matcha spot in New Haven throughout this year!
I know first year can feel scary, but know I’m always a text or email (seriously I’m a screenager hehe) away to answer any questions you may have about New Haven, Yale, the AACC, and everything else in between! <3
Branford PL: Gloria Kunnapilly
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Cognitive Science
What is your favorite Yale class? Collecting History: The “Treasures” of Yale
What are your artists/bands? Taylor Swift & Olivia Rodrigo
Hey everyone! My name is Gloria, and I am a sophomore studying Cognitive Science. I’m in Branford College, and I am so excited to be the Branford PL (Go Squirrels!!). On campus, I’m involved in Yale Model United Nations and Yale Undergraduate Diversified Investments. I also work as a Branford Aide. In my free time, I like reading, watching movies, hanging out with friends, and playing with all the adorable campus dogs! I am super excited to get to know all of you, and please reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat! I know the transition to college can be both exciting and challenging, but I’m always here if you ever need anything :)
Davenport PL: Kai Zhang
Pronouns: he/him
Major: Computing and the Arts
What is your favorite book? Level Up by Gene Yang
What are your hobbies? Making zines, playing basketball, finding new indie music
Welcome to Yale, Class of 2028!! My name is Kai, and I’ll be a rising junior in Davenport College majoring in Computing and the Arts along with a certificate in Ed Studies (hopefully!) I grew up in Queens, New York, so you know I’m a big foodie! Some of my favorite Chinese bakery items are egg tarts, pineapple bun with roast pork inside, and doujiang! (**wink wink get excited for cooking classes with Kai!) On campus, I’m a part of the Chinese American Student Association, take pictures for the Yale Farm, and make quesadillas for the Davenport Dive. During my free time, I like to make zines about cats and culture and play basketball for hours on end (it’s my happy place!) Get excited for your first-year to start! One of my goals as your PL is to hopefully build community with all of you whether that be through sports, food, etc, and to share with you some of the things I’ve learned throughout my time at Yale so far. I hope to see you all very soon!
Saybrook PL: Karley Yung
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Biomedical Engineering, certificate in Education Studies
What is your Yale class? Child Development
What is your favorite capus study spot? The Elm or the lower level of Bass <3
Hi Class of 2028! My name is Karley and I’m a senior in Berkeley College from Canton, MI! I’m majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a certificate in Education Studies. Outside of classes, I’m very passionate about menstrual equity and have been involved on the YaleBleeds board since my first year. I’m also an Academic Strategies Program (FGLI Thrive & STEM Navigators) peer mentor and involved with Society of Women Engineers and Danceworks.
I’m hoping to check all the items off my Yale bucket list this year, and I would love for you all to join me! Although I’m loyal to the Thundercoqs, I’m super stoked to be the PL for Saybrook this year (#slaysians), so please don’t ever hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or just want a friendly face to talk to :D
Timothy Dwight PL: Lucas Ogawa
Pronouns: he/him
Major: Computer Science and Economics
What is your favorite food? Japanese Katsu Curry and hotpot/sukiyaki/kbbq!!!
What are your favorite artists/bands? The Lumineers, Billy Joel, Zach Bryan, Adele
Hey Class of 2028! My name is Lucas and I’m a sophomore prospectively majoring in CS and Econ. I’m in Franklin but I’ll be a PL for Timothy Dwight College! I was born in Tokyo (Japan) but grew up mostly in Hong Kong. Some of the clubs I’m involved in include the International Students Organisation, Japanese American Students Union and Club Soccer, and I’m also looking to do some research/TA-ing starting this year. In my free time, I love to play in the weekly IM games (100% recommend everyone participate), procrastinate with my friends in the buttery, cook (when I have time), go on hikes and play musical instruments. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and I hope I can be a helpful resource throughout your first year at Yale! I’m always down to talk about anything and everything, so please don’t hesitate to reach out :)
Benjamin Franklin PL: Ruyi Lu
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Ethnicity, Race, and Migration
What is your favorite movie/TV show? The Proposal, Just Go With It, The Good Place
What is your favorite New Haven restaurant? Tibetan Kitchen
Hi friends! I am Xin/Ruyi, born and raised in Queens, NY (queens girlie forever). I am so excited to serve as an AACC Peer Liaison. On campus, I am involved with the Chinese American Student Association (proud CASA mom of 10), Christian fellowships, and public service groups. I am passionate about advocacy and building community, especially for first-generation, low-income students! Some fun stuff I love to do is dilly dally, karaoke, and read romantic fantasy books (currently reading Divine Rivals— so good). I am a big foodie so I would love to film mukbangs with you or we can also just eat together :P The communities at Yale have given me so much genuine love and joy that I hope to share and continue on as a PL— so please beep me because I will literally always be here!
Berkeley PL: Sabrina Mo
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Neuroscience
What are your favorite Yale class? English 120 – awesome class with an even more awesome prof (shoutout Kate Bolick)!
What is your favorite movie/TV show? 슬기로운 의사생활 (Hospital Playlist), The Great British Baking Show, Bolt
Hey everyone, welcome welcome welcome to Yale! My name is Sabrina, and I was born and raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles! I’m a sophomore in Berkeley, and I’m currently a Neuroscience(..!) major – dot dot exclamation mark because we’ll see if it becomes permanent… This year, I’ll be serving as the AACC Berkeley PL (thundercoq pride!!), but am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible :-)
Because I grew up in Koreatown my entire life, I’ve always been surrounded by amazing food and cafes, so I’ve become a massive foodie (unsurprising). I brought that same love for food to New Haven, and I’ve been trying out a variety of local restaurants and have even been scouting out the best Korean food for when I’m missing home. I’d love food recs if anyone has any and/or invitations to try new places together!
Besides that, when I’m not grinding out the assignments I’ve procrastinated on, you can find me sleeping in my super duper cozy green themed bed, snacking on copious cavity-inducing amounts of sugar, taking strolls around campus with friends (also with snack in hand obviously), or online shopping and adding too many things into my cart that I’ll never buy. One last thing – I absolutely love talking, so always feel free to reach out because I’ll always love an excuse to hang out and chat (perhaps also while eating yummy food)! I’m so excited to meet all of you guys, see you soon :-)
Grace Hopper PL: Sophia Li
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Cognitive Science, Economics, or Global Affairs
What is your favorite Yale class? English 114: The Secret Lives of Children
What is your favorite movie? Everything Everywhere All at Once
Hiiii class of 2028!! Welcome to Yale! My name is Sophia Li. I am a rising sophomore and the PL for Grace Hopper College (hopplove ♡).
On campus, I am the initiatives chair for CASA (Chinese American Student Association) and the partnerships director and communications chair for UDL (Urban Debate League). Outside those clubs, I like to dabble in little side quests like learning pottery skills, joining Danceworks, and aimlessly walking around the city. I am always up for an adventure whether that is going on a hike or making food in the college kitchen, so if you ever want a buddy to do something with you lmk!
My first year at Yale was truly one for the books. However, I don’t think I would have been able to survive it without my support systems like my friends, advisors, and PL. That is all to say please please please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions or just want to rant about school, life, drama, anything. I will be there. But for now, I can’t wait to meet you all :))
Ezra Stiles PL: Suling Chen
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Economics
What is your favorite book? I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo
What are your favorite artists/bands? JJ Lin, Jay Chou, EXO
Welcome to Yale, Class of 2028! My name is Suling Chen and I am a sophomore in Ezra Stiles College (GFM!) studying Economics with a certificate in Chinese. I was born in South Carolina but grew up in New Haven. In my free time, I enjoy walking around campus, grabbing boba/coffee with friends, and lounging on the hammocks when it’s warm out! I also really enjoy cooking and plan on making some delicious meals in the Stiles kitchen often this year, so feel free to stop by and enjoy some good food!! I’m thrilled to meet all of you and please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime for a chat!
Silliman PL: Diza Hendrawan
Pronouns: she/they
Major: Film and Media Studies
What are your favorite Yale classes? Making Comics, TV Writing: The Pilot, Southeast Asia Cinema
What are your favorite movies/TV shows? Tropical Malady, Yi Yi, Psych, The Other Two
Hi! I’m Diza, and I’m excited to be your Silliman PL for the second semester of the 24-25 year! I’m a senior in Ben Franklin from Honolulu, Hawai’i, and I’m a Film and Media Studies major with a concentration in Film Writing & Directing (often referred to as Production). As a Javanese-Indonesian American, I’m interested in ghost stories, cultural folklore, and how queer existences interact with both kinds of narratives!
After three years as a Center Staffer at the AACC, and having just retired as co-president of the Yale Southeast Asian Movement, I’m excited to return to the AACC as a PL and to see all of you to the end of your first year as I finish off my time here. I’m especially happy to advise anyone who’s looking to pursue a “creative career,” or is even just curious about the arts at Yale!
Some of my favorite things to do on campus are: running rehearsals as a choreographer for Danceworks, baking butter mochi in miscellaneous kitchens, watching movies in various locations on campus (ex: did you know there’s a 22-seat film screening room in Sterling?), and gathering with the Southeast Asian community at Yale! I’d love to share any of these activities and more with you all!
Reach out anytime — I can’t wait to meet you!
